Spark plug gap tester



Aug. l, 1950 J. M. PORTER 2,517,237

SPARK PLUG GAP TESTER Filed Aug. 22, 1944 /2 Inventor p27 John M Porter',

20 5 {igt/7 /6'. //0 /4' y o -T- A l A By y Attorneys Patented Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE Applicauun August 22, 1944, serial No. 550,633

(cl, ca -16s) I 6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a spark plug gap tester and more particularly to such a device of the Go-No Go type.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved spark plug gap tester so arranged that the gap between the points of a multi-point spark plug may be readily tested with a minimum of time and a maximum of eiliciency. i

An additional object is the provision of such a tester embodying wires of different diameters, one of which is adapted to pass between the points, and the other of which is of a size adapted to be precluded from passing between the points when the points are properly set.

Another important object is the provision, in such a tester, of means for advancing the wire, when portions thereof are broken oif in usage.

Still another important object is the provision of means whereby the retraction of the wire into the tube forming a part ofthe device, in such manner that the sharp end may dig into the Walls of such a tube when the wire is pushed outward- 1y, is precluded.

Still further objects reside in the arrangepreferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:` I Figure 1 is a side elevational View showing the device comprising the instant invention in use.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device as viewed from one side.

Figure 3 is a side `elevational view of the device as viewed from the opposite direction.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device shown in Figures 2 and 3 taken substantially along the center line.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the device disclosing the operating wires.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, and -A Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken substantially along the line '1 -1 of Figure 4.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having particular reference now to the drawings, the tester of the instant device is comprised of a sleeve I0 having two right angularly disposed extending tubes I2 and I3 at one end. Sleeve I0 has a slide block I4 positioned therein having a bore or hole I5 cut thereinto and an aperture suitably threaded to engage the threads of a set screw I E, the head I'I of which extends exteriorly of the tube through a slot I8. The ends of tubes I2 and I 3 extend inwardly in the sleeve I0 and are suitably secured therein as by soldering, welding, or the like and form an abutment against which seats one `end of a coiled spring I9, the other end of which is adapted to abut slide block I4.

Two wires 20 and 2l, respectively, and of different diameters, for example, .011 inch diameter, and .014 inch diameter, respectively, are adapted to be passed inwardly through tubes I3 and I2 into sleeve IIl and engage in drilled hole I5, where their ends are secured in position by a set screw I6. Spring I9 serves to preclude the buckling of wires 20 and 2| outwardly through slot I8.

If desired, tubes I2 and I3 may be painted in different colors, as for example green and red, the smaller wire being passed through the green tube and the larger through the red tube, to indicate respectively their Go and No Go functions.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is provided in the base of slide I4 a recess or slot 25 within which is secured a wire 26having an angularly bent tip 21. Tip 21 is adapted to engage in any selected one of a series of perforations 28 extending longitudinally of 'the tube on the opposite side thereof from groove I8.

From the foregoing the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. As above pointed out, suitable Wires of diierent diameters are inserted through the tubes I2 and I3 and secured in block or slide I4 in the manner previously described. The ends of these wires `are permitted to extend a suitable distance, normally comprising a small fraction of an inch and the device is held as indicated in Figure 1. The wires are then successively passed between the points 30 of a spark plug BI, the arrangement being such that if the plug points are properly spaced the smaller wire will pass therebetween and the larger wire will not. The din ametrically opposed disposition of the two test wires facilitates ready rotation of the tester in the hand, and thus provide a relatively fast and eiicient method of testing the gaps in spark plugs.

In such testing it frequently happens that the projecting portion of the wire will be broken oi, in which case additional wire is fed from the interior of sleeve I0 by moving the slide block I4 forwardly in the slot I 8. This is effected by forcing the point 2T of wire 26 out of its associ'ated perforation 28 and moving the same up to the next perforation. These perforations are preferably spaced at a distance corresponding to the desired extending length of wire, and accordingly movement equivalent to one perforation will extend the wire, broken off adjacent the end of its associated tube, the required distance.

The engagement of wire 26 with the perforations 28, correspondingly precludes the inward passage of the wires back into their associated tubes, which is advantageous since in most instances the wires when broken leave a jagged edge which may engage in the interior wall of the tube, and result in ,a jamming of the device when it is desired to feed more wire outwardly therefrom.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that ythere is herein provided a new and useful spark plug gap tester accomplishing all the objects of this invention and many others including adn vantages of great practical utility and com mercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modications may be made in the embodiment herein shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a spark plug gap tester, in combination, a sleeve having a longitudinal row of perforations on one side thereof, tubes extending from said sleeve, a wire passed through each of said tubes into said sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve, means for securing the ends of said wires in said block, and means for securing said block against sliding movement in said sleeve, said means including a wire secured to said block and engageable in one of said performations.

2. In a spark plug gap tester, in combination, a sleeve having a longitudinally extending slot on one side thereof and a longitudinal row of perforations on the other side thereof, tubes extending from said sleeve, a wire passed through each of said tubes into said sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve, means for securing the ends oi said wires in said block, means for securing said block against sliding movement in said sleeve, said means including a Wire secured to said block and engageable in one of said perforations, and means for moving said slide in said sleeve after said securing means are released, said means including a set screw extending outwardly from said block through said slot.

3. A tester for spark plug gaps comprising a body having a longitudinal chamber therein., a block slidable in said chamber, a compression spring in said chamber urging said block in one direction, conduits extending in different directions from said body and communicating with 05 said chamber, gauge elements of different sizes slidably guided in said conduits and secured at their inner ends to said block for selective eX- trusion from and retraction into said conduits by 4 movement of said block, said body having longitudinally spaced apertures in one side thereof and a detent on said block engageable in said apertures for securing said gauge elements in adjusted position relative to said conduits.

4. A tester for spark plug gaps comprising a body having a longitudinal chamber therein, a block slidable in said chamber, a compression spring in said chamber urging said block in one direction, conduits extending in diierent directions from said body and communicating with said chamber, gauge elements of different sizes slidably guided in said conduits and secured at their inner ends to said block for selective extrusion from and retraction into said conduits by movement of said block, said body having longitudinally spaced apertures in one side thereof and a detent on said block engageable in said apertures for securing said gauge elements in adjusted position relative to said conduits, said block having a recess on the side adjacent the apertures, said detent being mounted in said recess and being movable therefrom laterally of said block for engagement and release from the apertures.

5. In a spark plug gap tester, in combination, a sleeve having .a longitudinal row of perforations on one side thereof, tubes extending from said sleeve, a wire passed through each of said tubes into said sleeve, and extending `outwardly therefrom, a block slidably mounted in said sleeve, means for securing the ends of said wires in said block, and means for Asecuring said block against sliding movement in said sleeve, said means including a wire secured to said block and eng-ageable in one of said perforations, a coil spring in said sleeve surrounding said /wires to vpreclude buckling of the wires.

6, In a spark plug gap tester, in combination, a sleeve having a longitudinal row of perforations on one side thereof, tubes extending from said sleeve, a wire passed through each of said tubes ,into said sleeve, and extending outwardly therefrom, a block slidably mountedin said-sleeve, means for securing the ends of said wires in said block, and means for securing said block against sliding movement in said sleeve, said means including awire secured to said block and engageable in one of said perforations, a coil spring in said sleeve surrounding said wires to preclude buckling of the wires, said coil spring abutting said block.

JOHN M. PORTER.

REFERENCES CITED The Afollowing vreferences vare of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES (PATENTS Number Name Date 1,744,856 Amsden Jan. 28, 1930 1,993,896 Rabezzana Mar. 12, -1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 515,192 Germany Dec. 24, -193,0 737,087 France Dec. 6, 1932 835,389 France Sept..19, 1938 

